Chicago mayoral candidate Gery Chico touts past service

Produced by Eight Forty-Eight

February 17, 2011

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Mayoral candidate Gery Chico at a recent WGN-TV debate.

Over the past two weeks, Eight Forty-Eight sat down for one-on-one interviews with the candidates for Chicago mayor. Host Alison Cuddy talked with Miguel del Valle, Carol Moseley Braun, Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins, Rahm Emanuel and William “Dock” Walls. Thursday, it's the man considered the ultimate insider – Gery Chico. Chico’s ties to the City of Chicago go back to the late '70s, when he worked for the city’s Department of Planning. After earning a law degree he joined local firm Sidley Austin LLP and served as General Counsel to Chicago’s development council.

From 1992 through 1995 Chico served as Mayor Daley’s Chief of Staff. Over the years, Chico was part of the leadership of a number of city agencies. He was president of the Chicago Public Schools Board, head of the Parks District Board and most recently chairman of the City Colleges of Chicago.

He was also a member of the Chicago 2016 Olympics Committee. And his legal practice continues at his own firm Chico & Nunes. Eight Forty-Eight caught up with Chico earlier this week, right after the new census numbers revealed Chicago’s population shrink. When I asked how he’d address the issue, Chico pinpointed crime as a major factor.

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